Volunteer Driver Program

The Aging and Disability Resource Center of Northwest Wisconsin provides non-emergency transportation to and from local and out of area medical appointments to individuals 60 years of age and older and disabled individuals of all ages, who reside in Burnett and Polk Counties. Transportation is coordinated through the ADRC of NW WI and rides are provided by volunteer drivers. Co-payments are charged to all riders, based on a reduced-rate fee. ADRC Transportation Program does not provide emergency transportation. Call 9-1-1 if you require emergency medical transportation and care.

Participants must be able to transfer into and out of the volunteer driver’s vehicle with minimal assistance. We currently do not have a wheelchair accessible option for transportation. The volunteer driver program’s primary focus is for medical trips but other types of trips will be considered on a case by case basis

Cost:

Co-payments are based on the number of miles traveled by the volunteer driver starting from and ending at the volunteer driver’s home. The Transportation Coordinator selects the available volunteer who is closest to the passenger’s home to ensure co-payments are as low as possible. Passengers are invoiced monthly based on the following rates:

Co-Payment: $0.2875/mile

5 or More Appointments per Month: $0.14/mile

VA Medical Trips Using Volunteer Drivers: $30 per roundtrip. For veterans who receive travel pay, the cost is equal to the amount of travel pay they receive for that trip. Veterans are responsible for paying the remaining balance of the trip if the travel pay is less than $30.

VA Medical Trips Using the ADRC Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle: $50 per roundtrip. For veterans who receive travel pay, the cost is equal to the amount of travel pay they receive for that trip. Veterans are responsible for paying the remaining balance of the trip if the travel pay is less than $50.

To Get Started:

Call the ADRC of Northwest Wisconsin at 715-485-8592 or 877-485-2372 at least 2 weeks in advance to ensure all paperwork is complete prior to when you’ll need transportation assistance. You will be required to complete a demographic information form. This form helps the ADRC gather basic contact information. Once you are entered and approved in the dispatch program you are eligible to make ride requests.

Call the ADRC Transportation Reservation Line at 715-485-8592 or 877-485-2372 at least TWO BUSINESS DAYS prior to your appointment.

When you call please be prepared with the following appointment information:

Appointment date

Appointment time

Facility Name and Address

This information is required in order to enter your ride request in the dispatch program.

Once a driver has been assigned to your ride request, you will receive a call from the Transportation Coordinator. The volunteer driver assigned to the trip will contact the rider 24-48 hours prior to the trip to make final travel arrangements.

Current ADRC Volunteer Drivers

Volunteer drivers have access to an online portal that allows them to volunteer for trips that works best in their schedule and to easily submit their mileage and volunteer hours to the transportation coordinator. We are always in need of volunteer drivers. To learn more about volunteering with the ADRC visit our Volunteer page.

Many older adults and caregivers worry about the cost of medical care. These expenses can use up a significant part of monthly income, even for families who thought they had saved enough. There are government programs that may be able to help, or private financing options for long-term care. Find information that may help you cover medical costs: https://go.usa.gov/xwBZr ... See more